Asparagus Ricotta Tart Recipes

ASPARAGUS AND RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F and place oven rack in lower third of oven. Unfold the pastry onto a piece of parchment paper and roll 1/2" bigger on all sides. Slide the parchment (and pastry) onto a baking sheet.
• Beat the egg in a bowl. Lightly brush a 1/2" border of egg around the pastry. Add the ricotta and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper to the bowl with the remaining egg. Finely grate the zest of the lemon into the bowl; mix to combine. Fold in the chopped scallions and chopped herbs, then spread onto the pastry, leaving the 1/2" border of egg uncovered.
• Top with the asparagus and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.
• In a bowl, combine the juice of the lemon, the honey, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Toss with the greens and remaining scallions and herbs. Serve with the tart.

CHEESY ASPARAGUS TART

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the leeks, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Unroll the two pie crusts and lay on a sheet pan so that the pieces overlap slightly. Trim the edges of the pastry where it rides up the sides of the sheet pan and press these trimmings into the bare areas so that you are left with a 10-by-16-inch pastry rectangle.
• Sprinkle over the fontina, leaving a 1-inch border, then top with the leeks. Dollop on the ricotta. Scatter the thyme and asparagus pieces over the ricotta and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold the uncovered pastry edge inwards to make a 1/2-inch border all the way around the tart, in the style of a galette.
• Whisk the egg with a splash of water in a small bowl. Brush it all around the pastry edge.
• Bake the tart until it is a deep golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. (If the crust is browning too fast, reduce the heat to 425 degrees F.)
• Remove the tart from the oven, then allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Cut into pieces and serve.

ASPARAGUS-RICOTTA TART WITH COMTE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out pastry on floured surface to 13x10-inch rectangle. Cut off 1/2-inch-wide strip from all 4 sides. Brush strips on 1 side with some of beaten egg, then press strips, egg side down, onto edges of pastry to adhere, forming raised border. Brush border with egg; reserve remaining beaten egg. Transfer to baking sheet. Chill while preparing filling.
• Steam asparagus just until crisp tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Cut off top 2 to 3 inches of asparagus tops; set aside. Coarsely puree remaining asparagus stalks in processor. Add remaining beaten egg, ricotta, 3 teaspoons oil, and salt;process until thick puree forms. Transfer to bowl; stir in salami and 1/3 cup Comté cheese; season with pepper. Spread mixture evenly over pastry. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup Comté cheese. Toss asparagus tips with remaining 1 teaspoon oil; arrange tips over filling.
• Bake tart until filling is set, about 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ASPARAGUS & CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Put the flour in a bowl, add the butter to the flour and rub in with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the grated cheddar into the pastry and mix. Add 3 tbsp cold water and mix until the pastry forms a ball. Wrap in cling film and chill for 5 mins. Butter a 20 x 6cm deep loose-bottom tart tin, or a 35 x 12cm rectangular tart tin.
• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Lightly dust the work surface with flour, roll out the pastry and line the tin. Chill in the freezer for 20 mins, then line the pastry case with baking paper, fill with beans and cook for 15 mins. Remove the beans and paper, then return the pastry case to the oven for 10 mins.
• Crack the eggs into a jug, whisk, then add the milk and whisk again. Sprinkle half the grated cheese over the pastry case, then add the asparagus, egg mix and remaining cheese (if using a rectangular tin, you may not need all the mixture, so add it gradually). Bake in the lower half of the oven for 30-35 mins or until the egg mix is set.

ASPARAGUS, LEMON & RICOTTA TART

Steps:

• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a circle roughly 35cm in diameter. Use the rolling pin to pick up the pastry, then drape it over a 27cm deep, loose-bottomed tart tin. Press the pastry into the sides, then prick the base with a fork. Cover with cling film, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Unwrap the tart and line with baking parchment and baking beans. Cook on a baking sheet for 10-15 mins, until just starting to firm up. Beat 1 of the eggs. Remove the beans and baking parchment, then lightly brush the tart all over with the beaten egg. Cook for another 5-10 mins until the pastry is golden and crisp all over, then leave to cool.
• Reduce the oven to 180C/fan 160C/ gas 4. Whisk together the remaining eggs, then pour in the cream and lemon zest and whisk until well combined. Season with salt and pour into a large jug. Pour the cream mixture into the tart case, then arrange the asparagus spears on top. Dollop over teaspoonfuls of ricotta and sprinkle with the mint, then carefully slide into the oven. Cook for 25-30 mins until the quiche is set with just the faintest wobble in the middle. Leave to cool at least 10 mins before serving either warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with salt flakes.

ASPARAGUS, GOAT CHEESE AND TARRAGON TART

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, use a fork or a wooden spoon to mash together the goat cheese, egg, garlic, tarragon, lemon zest, salt and nutmeg until smooth. Switch to a whisk and beat in the crème fraîche until smooth.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry into a 13-by-11-inch rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the puff pastry.
• Spread the crème fraîche mixture evenly inside the scored border. Line up the asparagus spears on top, and brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle some salt and the grated Parmesan over the asparagus.
• Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Let it cool on the cookie sheet for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours before serving. Then sprinkle black pepper, red-pepper flakes (if using), the shaved Parmesan and tarragon leaves. Drizzle a little oil on top.